10 alternative acts to enjoy at Latitude Festival 2014

There is something for everyone at Latitude 2014 (Picture: Press Association Images)

There may be some brilliant and interesting bands on the bill of Latitude Festival but it is not all about music.

Across the site you will find everything from anarchic cabaret to poetry, stand up comedy to ballet and most bases covered in between. So that you can enjoy the full festival experience, here are 10 alternative acts to take in whilst at Latitude.

Take in a UK festival exclusive on the Sunday afternoon

It is always nice to chill out on a Sunday afternoon and at Latitude you can do this in the prescience of a one-off exclusive. If Damon Albarn’s headline set the night before had doffed a hat towards his Mali Music project then this celebration of a mysterious West African pioneer might be just your thing. ‘Atomic Bomb! Who is William Onyeabor’ will be performed by a collective featuring members of Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem, Beastie Boys and Scritti Politti (naturally!) plus numerous special guests.

Atomic Bomb plays Latitude 2014 (Picture: Supplied)

A problem shared is a problem halved … especially if Jack Dee is involved

You may have that nagging little issue that is playing on your mind and hampering your enjoyment of the festival. Fortunately, Jack Dee is on hand to lend a sympathetic ear and put your problem to his panel of ‘experts'; Jeremy Hardy, Katherine Ryan, Sean Walsh and Roisin Conaty. They will dissect your issue to the delight of the live audience and in no way will they humiliate you … much.

Jack Dee will be in the chair to be the festival’s unique ‘Agony Uncle’ (Picture: Press Association Images)

Become a culture vulture

After their emotional First World War themed performance at Glastonbury, the English National Ballet bring a programme of new work to Latitude. Led by renowned ballerina Tamara Rojo, the group say, ‘We dance to conjure wonderful, beautiful visions and because we have something to say.’ It should be a visual treat.

English National Ballet were sensational at Glastonbury and expect more of the same at Latitude (Getty Images)

Talk to the animals … and possibly heal them

If you ever fancied being a vet (or indeed, you are a vet) then you can get your fix for wanting to heal animals at the Fairyland Wildlife Hospital. The field hospital will have everything from baby badgers to song less birds that will need individual care and attention, as well as the possibility of bandages galore. Bring a stethoscope and clipboard and there’ll be wildlife waiting for your diagnosis.

It’s Vegetable Kazoo time!

I expect your parents banged on about how it is imperative that you eat your veg. If that made you shudder and whilst looking at those carrots, you thought, I wonder what they sound like, then The Woodcraft Folk are the people to visit. They run a huge arts & crafts hub where there is ample opportunity to make everything from vegetable kazoos to sock puppets. Go on! You know you want to.

It’ll be a cardinal sin to miss this!

Bringing a brand new show to Latitude, with a host of eccentric characters, are comedy duo Cardinal Burns. They were BAFTA nominated and had great success at the British Comedy Award so they should be capable of cracking a few smiles.

It’s been 25 years since Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury were ‘Going on a Bear Hunt’ and, eight million copies later, former children’s laureate, Rosen, will be celebrating the favourite children’s book with a performance in the Poetry Area. Expect lots of crowd participation, so make sure you’ve limbered up.

Beatboxing and Beards

Prepare to be mesmerised by the beatboxing skills of Beardyman (Darren Foreman) as this internet sensation brings an amalgamation of sounds from dubstep to country music and live looping. Auntie Beeb called him the King of Sound and Ruler of Beats, so expect an army of mimics beatboxing their way around the festival in tribute afterwards.

Beardyman’s bringing his beat box to Latitude (Picture: YouTube)

As sure as eggs is eggs

Just to emphasise the eclectic mix that perform at Latitude is Eggs Collective from Manchester. This female trio produce shambolic, anarchic comedy and bring their first full length show ‘Get A Round’ for you to enjoy. Expect to be involved too as their dark cabaret theatrics cast a satirical eye over popular culture.

‘(I’ve had) the time of my life …’

Most of you have probably watched Dirty Dancing and some of you have probably had a go at lifting your other half above your head at the climax of a song at the local disco. At the Lake Stage, you’ll be able to see how it should be done as the West End cast descend to bring highlights of their smash stage show. The film may be cheesy but this will be an unprecedented live experience!

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